Pilot Pen celebrates 100 fruitful years with an exclusive range of high-end pens
Pilot Pen celebrates 100 fruitful years with an exclusive range of high-end pens
This year, Pilot Pen celebrates its 100th anniversary, a milestone event for the company known for its quality writing instruments. The brand was founded in Japan in 1918 under the name of Namiki Manufacturing Company. Drawing from its Japanese heritage, Pilot Pen released a limited range of exquisitely crafted pens made in the signature Maki-e style, which is characterized by the use of lacquer, and then sprinkled with gold and silver powder for decoration.
Only for Serious Collectors
The most luxurious offering from this range comes in the form of a $70,000 centenary set of seven pens, limited to only 25 sets worldwide, depicting the seven Japanese Gods of Good Fortune called Shichi-fuku-jin. These gods include Ebisu, Daikoku-ten, Bishamon-ten, Benzai-ten, Fukuroku-ju, Juro-jin, and Hotei-son. In order to craft such a unique and luxurious set of pen and accessories in a makie box, Pilot Pen enlisted the help of 11 Kokkokai Maki-e artisans. The group was formed in 1931 and centered around the skills of the late Gonroku Matsuda, who was the highest living authority on Maki-e. The group is famous for producing lacquer work of the highest quality, which is imbued with the impossibly high standards set by Master Matsuda. With the artisans’ skills and knowledge combined, what resulted are truly stunning pens that double as works of art – with each one taking three months to create. A specially crafted makie pen tray and holder accompanies the set, as well as seven different colored inks. Also interesting to note about the pens is the absence of a clip and instead, features a ring on the cap. This allows the owners of the set to display the pens in any angle, without the clip getting in the way.
Something for Everyone
Given the limited quantity of the centenary set, Pilot Pen will be releasing a replica of the seven pens in March 2019. While also individually serial-numbered, the replica pens will instead feature a clip, come in individual boxes, and will not include a tray. For those interested in owning all seven pens, a complete set will be offered at $45,000. A second 100th anniversary commemorative pen will be made available this month, called Fujiyama. It is an Emperor-size pen valued at $13,800, and will be limited to 100 pieces. Finally, Fuji and Meiji-Maru, both Yukari pens, will also be available this month and is priced at $2,100 each, and will be limited to 800 pieces. With these special releases, a large number of Pilot Pen collectors all over the world can look forward to owning a piece of history with these high-end pens that juxtapose the very best of design and function. All prices quoted are before GST.